RANDELL & ADLER

In the matter of RANDELL & ADLER, heard by Judge Newbrun, the dispute concerned parenting orders for a child born in 2014. The proceedings involved applications by both the mother and the father regarding the long-term care, welfare, and time spent with the child.

The court was required to determine the best interests of the child in relation to parental responsibility, living arrangements, and the nature and extent of the child's time with each parent. Key issues included the conditions under which the father could resume spending time with the child, the necessity for both parents to engage in psychological treatment, and the arrangements for supervised contact. The court also considered orders relating to communication between the parents, notification of significant events concerning the child, and prohibitions against denigration and physical punishment.

Judge Newbrun made orders that the mother have sole parental responsibility and that the child live with the mother. The father was to be notified of proposed long-term decisions regarding the child's care and welfare, with his views to be considered. The child was to spend time with the father subject to specific conditions, including the completion of an anger management course and a letter from his treating psychologist or psychiatrist confirming engagement with therapy and adherence to recommendations. Both parents were ordered to obtain mental health plans and engage with psychologists or psychiatrists to address issues identified in an expert report, and their treating professionals were to confer regarding a child psychologist to assist in informing the child of his paternity. Supervised contact was to be facilitated by a specified contact centre, with both parents to pay associated fees and comply with the centre's rules. Further orders addressed communication protocols, notification of residence changes, prohibitions on denigration and substance use while the child is in care, and the use of physical punishment.